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"Gray almost killed you," I choke the words out. King is his daughter.
"King is nothing like her father," Lilly says softly. "Your bloodline doesn't define who you are."
I cock my head at her, understanding the meaning. She is not talking about King anymore.
"Do you think she would've told me?" My pulse speeds up.
"Yes."
I squint at her. How can she be so sure?
As if reading my mind, Lilly deadpans, "Because this girl is so in love with you it puts Rhys and me to shame. You didn't see her when I asked her to come back here. She was scared to death that you would not want her."
Do I want her? I'm being pulled in so many directions. I don't know where top or bottom is. I love this woman. There is no question in my—for once sober—mind. But she knew who I was without telling me who she was related to.
But when was she supposed to tell you? a voice resembling Lilly's an awful lot echoes in my ears.
She left town with my baby. She knew all day and dodged my calls.
Would you have listened to her?Seriously? When was King replaced by Lilly in my head?
I need to think. So, I do the one thing that makes sense: I pull up the airline app. I'd be back for the wedding.
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
"I don't thinkI've ever seen him speechless. I mean, he never talks much, but usually, there is at least a grunt or a disapproving glare," Mags whisper-shouts to me as we hover in Grizz's office door.
He took one look at me, and his jaw hit the desk.
Today marks two days of radio silence from Wes. Granted, I've been hiding at home, and he doesn't have my new number—as far as I know. My brain pauses, trying to process the picture that has painted itself in my mind.Home: a concept I can't wrap my mind around. Do I really plan to stay? I'm not ready to answer questions about my whereabouts the past five months or explain the medicine ball under my shirt.
Lilly showedup Saturday morning with Marcus in tow. She informed me that Wes went to see Denielle, and they'd be coming back together for the wedding. Fucking wonderful. Wes found out he was going to be a father and ran off to the one person who probably hated me more than my sister.
Marcus was loaded with garment bags, and the guy looked grumpier than normal. Having lost my train of thought at the sight, I hovered on the threshold.
Mags took charge and waved them into our small hallway. "Drop 'em there." She pointed to the living room andorderedhim like it was the most normal thing in the world for Lilly and her security detail to walk into our little two-bedroom apartment. But this was Mags; why was I surprised? I wasn't—not really. Following at a slower pace, I watched the scene unfold. I had slept like shit the last couple of nights, thanks to Nugget's boxing routine between midnight and three—using my organs as a punching bag. When my baby finally exhausted herself, my thoughts wandered to a certain someone. My body and mind were running on fumes, and I couldn't even consume the necessary caffeine I needed to function.
"What's all this?" I gestured at the mountain overtaking our couch.
Lilly feigned innocence. "We need to get you a dress, and since I don't know your, uh, size"—her eyes flickered to my midsection—"I had a bunch of options overnighted."
My stomach flipped, and I peered over at Mags. Narrowing my eyes back at Lilly, I crossed my arms and rested them on my belly—sorry, Nugget. "Why would I need a dress?"
"For the wedding." The duh in her reply was silent.
As her words took root in my head, the previous somersault flip turned into a full-blown roller coaster, making the dizziness spread through every limb like a wildfire. "No, I— He would never— Uh, just no—" I spun on my heels and raced to my room. What the hell was this girl thinking? Yes, she had Marcus deliver the invitation to me, but I couldn't go to her wedding. Wes hated me. I would ruin everything. Echo took one glance from her doggy bed and sat up, alarmed. Since bringing her back with me, she had barely left my side. If we were sitting, her head would be somewhere in my lap or pressed against Nugget. If I was standing, she was in constant contact with my legs. I hadn't decided if she missed me or if she was protecting the baby—either way, she'll be a great big sister.
At a knock on the door, my heart slipped in my chest.Go away."Come in."
I didn't know who I expected, but not Marcus. His head appeared in the gap, and he glanced around, uncomfortable.
"You won't find any embarrassing underwear lying around, so stop looking so constipated." I chuckled and shocked myself how at ease I was with him.
He pushed the door open, and I amended, "None of it fits anymore."
What was I doing?
Marcus choked for a second, gaping at me, then a smirk turned his mouth upward, and he shook his head. "You are something, Kingsley Monroe."
